“The restoration of Rūdnininkai Training Area is the biggest project to strengthen the Lithuanian Armed Forces in this decade. It enables us to finally meet the growing need for a comprehensive military training opportunities for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO Allied forces who are integrated in the national deference system. The restoration process has also demonstrated how much accelerated processes, even bureaucratic, can be when there is cooperation among institutions and with citizens in pursuit of the common goal, security for all of us. If not for all of this, we would not be here today, not until after five years at best,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas attending the firs firing exercise at Rūdninkai Training Area.
Rūdninkai Training Area was officially inaugurated on June 2 with the first firing exercise and a presentation of the training area vision, ongoing and future projects and infrastructure to guests who had contributed to the speedy restoration of the military range.
Demining operations, transformation of forested areas into landed property of military purpose (only where necessary for infrastructure, no more than 8,7 percent of the entire territory), electricity supply increase, cellular communications coverage extension and infrastructure development have already been begun at Rūdninkai Training Area.
The infrastructure to be built at the training area will be for accommodation and administrative functions, multipurpose, Infantry Fighting Vehicle and small arms firing ranges, grenade training fields, urban warfare training facility, as well as military equipment and transport lots, repair facility, sports and leisure complex, and other infrastructure required to ensure the highest level combat readiness.
Once all the infrastructure has been completed, the training area will serve up to 3 thousand military personnel at one time, i.e., will ensure a comprehensive military training of a battalion battle group. To date, only the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area at Pabradė has such infrastructure available. The changed security situation in the region caused the number of exercises and allied troops integrated into the overall Lithuanian national defence system to increase. The new training area will meet the military readiness needs of the increased military capabilities, as well as interoperability between the Lithuanian Armed Forces and allied troops.
The military are already able to conduct field training exercises as long as environmental protection and explosive ordnance contamination precautions are taken into account, while larger firing exercise are planned as of July.
The area of Rūdninkai training range will still be safe and open for recreational purposes at all times expect for the military training schedule.
Training area restoration also cover road infrastructure reconstruction as it is need for military equipment movement into the training range (road segment Pirčiupiai – Jašiūnai, as well as extension of the most efficient rail segment towards the training area).
Constructions and servicing of the objects necessary for administrative functioning and military training at the training area will create up to 100 jobs, increase the demand for catering, temporary and permanent housing, contractions and maintenance services in the surrounding sub-districts. Military training area development will also attract national and foreign investment into the region, promote local business, consumption of local production and services, boost social dialogue with the communities. The new infrastructure will also improve the communications that the local communities currently have available to them.
Photo credit: Sgt 1st Class Arnas Čemerka
